Better links to Leeds Bradford Airport on the horizon

PLANS to improve connections to Leeds Bradford Airport have taken a step forward.

Initial consultations around road access are coming to an end this Friday 26.

2,200 people took part in the consultation which considered three options put forward by Leeds City Council.

The Leeds Bradford Airport link road, connecting the city with the West Yorkshire travel hub could cost up to £75m.

The council have also proposed a link road between Rawdon and Horsforth which would cost £50m.

Both would see the creation of a new link road from the A65 to the A658 to the airport which contributes more than £100m annually, and through which 3.3m passengers travel.

The second and cheapest option was a £15m upgrade to the current route.

The schemes would be funded through the West Yorkshire Transport Fund with the council leading its delivery.

Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said: “We are now in the final week of this initial consultation so I would encourage as many people as possible to take part and give us their views before the deadline on Friday.

“The consultation has sparked a great deal of debate which is what we wanted and I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to either come to one of the drop-in sessions or fill in the survey.

“Leeds Bradford Airport has a key role to play in the future growth of our economy, so we’d like to hear the views of many more people before this initial consultation period ends.”

Airport links were identified as a “key element” of the council’s transport plans in October.

Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority will consider the proposals later this year. If approved the scheme should be completed during 2023.

Information on the Leeds Bradford Airport improvement proposals can be found here www.leeds.gov.uk/AirportLinkRoad.